Tambunan: The new Outpatient Department (OPD) building project at Tambunan Hospital, which has been abandoned for nine years, will be resumed to improve the comfort of patients and staff. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the situation at the hospital was among the most disheartening things he witnessed during his working visit there today, with patients and staff having to cope with limited space.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dzulkefly expressed his commitment to reviving the stalled project, emphasizing its importance for the comfort and rights of the people of Tambunan. In a Facebook post, he stated, "InsyaAllah, we will revive this 'sick' project and ensure it is completed for the comfort and rights of the people of Tambunan."
Dzulkefly also announced an immediate allocation of RM988,000 to address urgent needs at the hospital. A significant portion of this allocation will be directed towards upgrading the Emergency Department. Additionally, RM185,000 will be used to repair the severely damaged canteen building to provide suitable dining facilities, while the remaining funds will be spent on purchasing medical equipment and other necessary amenities.
He expressed gratitude to Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan state assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan for his contributions of a hydraulic bed and an ultrasound machine to the hospital. Dzulkefly added, "This is in addition to the six hydraulic beds and one ultrasound machine that were also approved for Tambunan Hospital today. The responsibility of safeguarding the people's health is made easier when all parties work together."
Addressing the concerns regarding space at the Tambunan Dental Clinic, Dzulkefly mentioned that he had instructed the expediting of the funding application to tackle the issue under the development budget planning for the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Tambunan Hospital, operating since September 16, 1977, is a non-specialist hospital under the Keningau Cluster. It has a capacity of 49 beds and serves approximately 43,400 residents across seven sub-districts and 88 villages. The hospital provides 24-hour emergency and trauma care, as well as outpatient and inpatient services.
During his visit, Dzulkefly was briefed on the hospital's staffing situation, operational challenges, and the distribution of supporting health facilities in Tambunan, which covers seven sub-districts and 88 villages.